David Sullivan, the West Ham United co-chairman, made no bones about it. “The current management and team know that what they have delivered was below the expectations at the start of the season and we simply have to do better next season,” he wrote in his programme notes. There was no backing for Gianfranco Zola but, then again, the manager would not have expected any. Whether he returns to oversee the required improvement remains unlikely.
Zola’s fellow Italian, Roberto Mancini, will be back at City but he, too, had to reflect on underachievement. His team’s season ended with a whimper as they strolled to a meaningless draw here in the East End. The mood of the afternoon was summed up when the Upton Park PA announcer introduced a package of season’s “highlights” after the match. The home crowd broke into laughter.
This was to have been the game that held the key to City’s Champions League hopes but, after Wednesday night’s defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, they had nothing left to play for but pride. The sight of Carlos Tevez starting on the substitutes’ bench spoke volumes.
The former West Ham striker, who was suffering from fatigue, enjoyed a magnificent reception from the home support particularly when, as he warmed up, he crossed his wrists to make the Hammers’ sign. His introduction in the 73rd minute was the prompt for an exhilarating standing ovation. “Let him score,” sang the West Ham fans. He almost did, from Emmanuel Adebayor’s cross.
There was also no place in the City starting line-up for Craig Bellamy, the Tottenham target, who, contrary to rumour, did not injure his hand giving the high five to Harry Redknapp after Wednesday’s game. The Welshman is carrying a hamstring problem.
West Ham went ahead early in the game and it was a special moment for Luis Boa Morte, who tasted his first football since he ruptured his cruciate knee ligament in pre-season. From Alessandro Diamanti’s wonderful flicked through ball, Boa Morte slipped in on goal to beat the advancing Marton Fulop with a deft finish. Off came the shirt and, at the end of the frenzied celebrations, there was a bear hug on the touchline for Zola. Boa Morte cared not about the yellow card that the referee Howard Webb was compelled to give him.
There was an end-of-season feel to significant passages of the play and the equaliser that West Ham conceded owed much to defensive slackness. Adam Johnson’s cross from the right travelled all the way to the far post where Shaun Wright-Phillips, the smallest man on the pitch, rose unchallenged to head home.
The presence of Franco Baldini and Ray Clemence in the crowd ensured that the England World Cup hopefuls maintained their focus. Johnson caught the eye with his tricks and he might have had a penalty when Matthew Upson challenged him inside the area. Upson also allowed Adebayor to escape him, only for Robert Green to block. Green emerged with honours, as did Wright-Phillips.
The France manager Raymond Domenech was there, too, in order to scout Patrick Vieira. The City player was not the dominant midfield presence; that sobriquet belonged to Scott Parker, the Hammer of the Year. Boa Morte played as if determined to make up for lost time, while Diamanti, who hit the outside of the post from distance, flickered impressively.
Both teams had chances in the second-half but it was no surprise when the game fizzled out into stalemate.
Premier LeagueWest Ham UnitedManchester CityDavid Hytnerguardian.co.uk
